California Right-To-Die Bill Expected To Pass Senate, Move Quickly To Governor's Desk

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) – After two hours of debate, the assembly passed legislation with a 42 to 33 vote.

The bill will go back to the senate for a confirmation vote, but in regular session it passed. Many are expecting this bill to quickly make its way to the governor's desk.

"To provide a choice, a compassionate choice to Californians who are dying," said assembly member Susan Eggman.

Eggman begged for her colleagues support on her bill designed to allow terminally ill Californians a chance to end their own life with medication, instead of suffering.

"She gathered her family around, and within five minutes she died a gentle death,"said Eggman.

Eggman mentioned, now famous Brittany Maynard, who announced more than a year ago that she would move from California to Oregon in order to end her life on her terms as she suffered from terminal cancer.

"Full end of life options are of urgent need for dying Californians who need relief. These Californians do not have another legislation to wait for us on this floor to ask," said assembly member Anthony Rendon.

Others say that it is risky.

"California doesn't need this. We don't need this," said assembly member Cheryl Brown.

Despite many safeguards, some assembly members concerned the law may lead to some ending their lives for the wrong reasons, including inaccurate diagnoses.

"They gave six months to live, she lived four and a half years," said assembly member Mike Gipson, "Fear of the diagnosis, sadness, depression. I would argue that we never want to be a society that endorses taking one's life for those reasons."

After the vote passed the bill opponents say they are not done.

"A huge affirmation of what Brittany, why she spoke up, a year ago, simply that a person at their end of life, having the ability to have a gentle passing," said Maynard's Widower Dan Diaz.

Mayard's husband says she spoke to the governor over the phone before she died. He is hopeful that discussion swayed Governor Brown.